Here we have a Maigret story that is not based on a Maigret story. George Simenon's novella upon which this episode is based has as its detective someone named Vaimber. (In the film Vaimber begins the case but turns it over to Maigret, his cousin, so that he may go on vacation. Hence the film makers turn it into a Maigret mystery.) No matter as it still works as a solid Maigret "who done it."
A missing body leads to Maigret's investigation of a possible murder. Was there ever a body? And if so, where is it? And if not, what prompted someone to lie about having seen it? Maigret checks into a hotel under an alias--he claims to be a pharmaceutical salesman--so that he can meet the woman who claims to have seen a body and who says she is afraid of her husband. She has her children with her. Between conversations with Mrs. Quatre-called that because she's in Room 4 of the hotel-and visits to her home Maigret soon pieces together what has happened. At this point the film becomes more of a suspense thriller rather than a mystery, and while that's OK it is a bit unusual for a Maigret story.
Worth seeing? Yes, if you are enjoying the Maigret series starring Bruno Cremer, then this is a nicely performed and scripted story. I do think, though, that the earlier "Maigret Sets a Trap," similar in story to this one, is much better.
A missing body leads to Maigret's investigation of a possible murder. Was there ever a body? And if so, where is it? And if not, what prompted someone to lie about having seen it? Maigret checks into a hotel under an alias--he claims to be a pharmaceutical salesman--so that he can meet the woman who claims to have seen a body and who says she is afraid of her husband. She has her children with her. Between conversations with Mrs. Quatre-called that because she's in Room 4 of the hotel-and visits to her home Maigret soon pieces together what has happened. At this point the film becomes more of a suspense thriller rather than a mystery, and while that's OK it is a bit unusual for a Maigret story.
Worth seeing? Yes, if you are enjoying the Maigret series starring Bruno Cremer, then this is a nicely performed and scripted story. I do think, though, that the earlier "Maigret Sets a Trap," similar in story to this one, is much better.